THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 7, 2013
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For The Record Communicating an implosion: Signs and wander, popular culture and the crumbling of Empire (4) Concluding part of the text of the maiden inaugural lecture delivered by Prof. Nosa Owens-Ibie, Ph.D, professor of Communication, Media and Development, at Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, on April 9, 2013. (The third part was published on Thursday, May 23, 2013. N an age of drones, missiles, smart bombs, Iconnectivity, phones and electronic devices, the internet and there has to be some other explanations for the how in other happenings which defy the logic of an all-powerful country. But as Psalms 11: 3 states, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The issue is more about the values and logics which made America great and if what is happening now is not a replication of a trend which is decidedly Roman. On the other hand is resource-rich Nigeria which captures in its trajectory hopes of the African possibility and is realistically or sarcastically labelled the “Giant of Africa”. Developments in Nigeria affirm the country’s status as a fundamentally mainstreaming transitional society. In its centenary, the country has defied rational explanations and continues to amaze even its citizens with its staying power despite ramifying contradictions. Through its strengths and challenges Nigeria has become the battleground for a multiplicity of forces targeting its soul and from which has emerged discernible patterns. One major beneficiary of the struggle has been America which presence is obvious in key areas of national and local life. The communication process and media transmit one gain after the other for American popular culture, among other downloads of the American Dream. They are active midwives to an evolutionary phase that is seeing Nigeria gradually coalesce as Naija (no small thanks, among others, to the contributions of Etisalat’s rave commercial “Naija for Life” and now an institutionalization of a dilution of name through Naija 102.7 FM in the commercial hub of Lagos, in the more obvious scenario. The simultaneous relay of models of academic and other achievements and the privations and deprivations of life in America reflect a conflictive essence. The “death of good taste” is yielding folk heroes and trends disruptive of local values. Media are also serving as tools for the transmission of elements of the still unfolding heritage. Nigeria is therefore caught in a web and in the game of the little leaven with a somewhat complicated future outlook which combine poorly with the subsisting challenges of leadership, corruption, ethnicity, management of religious differences and image issues borne of individual and group desperations. Nations ignore their strengths to their peril but the management of internal contradictions with an eye on the small picture through a rediscovery of purposeful and focused leadership assures a place for a redeemable future and the undoubted possibility of a Nigeria that still has real prospects of overcoming its dilemmas. Food for the Road Globalization has provided a vital springboard for Americanization. Americanization has consolidated the penetration of American popular culture with different national variants. Popular culture has spawned hybridization across barriers, including in traditional societies. Communication has been the faithful servant mutually relaying patterns, currents and undercurrents of influence. In the process, communication has become the transmission belt of an unfolding scenario where drivers appear to be losing control of the internal mechanics which defined the rise of empire while satellite stations are rebroadcasting in exciting and pliant befuddlement. If the freefall that reduced the Roman Empire from a behemoth wiping out the gains of 1200 years is replaying with the official relegation of God in the clan of the more developed world or unofficial disinclination to further official decla-
Prof. Owens-Ibie rations on the fear of God or being “Under God” in Nigeria in particular, then this is a wakeup call to an avoidable inevitable: LET US PRAY! Acknowledgements I thank the Almighty God for He has been everything to me and my family. He has been faithful, daily revealing Himself as the omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient God in our lives. His salvation through Jesus Christ has meant the world to us and we are grateful that we have a friend indeed in Him. I want to appreciate my darling wife, friend and the one God has used to support me in more ways than I can express. Mrs Stella Osamuende Owens-Ibie has always been there for me and the children and I thank God for she is a gift to me and us. Since I knew that my birthday was too close to fully prepare for this lecture given the preparation for our 2nd convocation, the next option was to select today April 9, 2013 which is the birthday of our first child – Osamudiamen Osamuende Owens-Ibie. With her sister, Nosarieme Osarumwense Owens-Ibie, God has demonstrated that girls are indeed special. I remember with nostalgia the investments of my late father Henry Owenorisiede (Owens) who had little education and was of average means but believed so much in and invested in the education of his children and my late mother Juliana Orhionpaizihowa Uvbinekhui who had no education but lived a life of selflessness and kept praying for others and us her children. I want to thank my siblings and their wives/husbands - Dr Noma & Dr (Mrs) Cynthia Owens-Ibie, Nogieru (Osaro) & Shola Owens-Ibie, Nomayo (Joy) & Theodora Owens-Ibie, Osarenoma OwensIbie, Aisu Owens-Ibie, Faith & Peter Olagbegi, Franca & Ovie Esiri, my step-mothers and others in my nuclear and extended maternal (Auntie Grace, Eunice and Helen [nee Agho])and their families (Nagudias, Ehanires, Ikhuenbos, Usos, Ogbomwans) and paternal family (Ibies, Odins). My in-laws – Igies, Osagies, Osifos and Ibizugbes, without exception continue to be so wonderful. We are a large family. I want to thank the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayodeji Olukoju for his head-hunting which led to my coming over to this university. It has been an interesting experience. He was the first to suggest last year that I consider giving the maiden Inaugural Lecture. I appreciate the efforts of the Proprietor of this
loi Warritay, Felicia Tobi, Dr Eddy Akpomera, Rev Femi Fatunmbi, Stanley Ero, Emmanuel Olushola, Tunde Ojo, Sam Adurogboye, Sam Orovwuje, Chris Ajufoh, Charles Omonaide, Eddy Emmanuel, Dr Osahon Osagie, Prof Francis & Yinka Egbokare, Ikpomwonsa Osifo, Funsho Alimi, Dr Segun Olatunji, David Akintola, Dr John & Mrs Joy Agbonifo, Dr Bello Umaru Dogondaji, Bola Bolawole, Remi Ibitola, Lekan Otufodunrin, Ikeddy Isiguzo, Prof Abubakar Momoh, Kola Danisa, Yinka Kadri, Shola Hassan, Fred Ohwawha, Clare Onasanya, Dr Olusegun Ojomo, Prof Daniel ‘Wale Awodiya, Dr Franca Odeka (nee Osarumwense), Dr Bolaji Fapohunda, Ekong Emah, Bola Kusemiju, JKT Ajiboye, James Atusue, Osaretin Adonri, Charles Emelue, Clem & Patience Ekeoba, Yomi Martins, Gerald Osugo, Mike Osunde, Declan Okpalaeke, Dipo Ojedeji, Chioma Enyinnaya, Gabriel & Zefe Giametse, Prof Iyke Ezeagwu, Dr Sylvester Igbedioh, Dr Layi Sobamiwa, Tunde Akande, Soga Odubona, Myke Esiri, Tolu Olanrewaju, Segun Labiran, Timothy Obot, Juditha Ononose, Eunice Damisa, Omowale Adelabu, Harrison George, Emma Okwuke, Chinedu Ikogwe, Okon Akpama, Dare Oyewale, Razak Asaju, Dr Levi Obijiofor, Prof Segun Ayadi, Tunji Olugbodi, Ayo Oluwatosin, Mike Agbonkhina, Adeola Olunloyo, Regina Ogbodo, Emeka Diogu, Ijeoma Onyeator, Emmanuel Richard, Dr Ayotunde Alao, Gbenro Adebanjo, Ibim Semenitari, Itunu Iyun, Ifedolapo Ademosu, Eguono Ejenobor, Biodun and Josephine Oyeleye, Prof Eno Akpabio, Prof Innocent Okoye, Jimi Kayinstitution, Dr Oladega Adebogun, because if Caleb University was not established, we won’t be ode, Gbenga Kalejaiye, Dr Victor Ayedunhaving an Inaugural Lecture today. I also appreci- Aluma, Dr Bunmi Ajibade, Dr. Ismail Ibrahim, Dr Yomi Daramola, Dr Soji Alabi, Dr Olorunate the Pro-Chancellor, Prof Fola Tayo who called tola Sunday, Dr Adepoju Tejumaiye and the me months ago to encourage me to give this Inaugural lecture. To all the principal officers, Deans entire mass communication faculty and my other former students at UNILAG and and all staff (full-time and adjunct) and students friends/colleagues at the University of of Caleb University and its Department of Mass Ibadan, Lagos State University, University of Communication, thank you for being part of the unique process of unravelling the huge potential Maiduguri, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), other universiunlocking in this citadel of learning I remain grateful to late, Prof Alfred Opubor who ties, and the brand new Communication Association of Nigeria (CANI). recommended me for my first major job, not Where do I even start from in recognizing the knowing that another friend Mr. Ray Ekpu also pastors, ministers and brethren? I remember recommended me for the same job. Prof Onuora Nwuneli takes the credit for offering Evangelist & Mrs Richard Adesokan; Pastor me my first academic position at the University of Simon Adigun Arowolo, Pastor Olayinka, University College Hospital, Ibadan Christ Lagos. Prof Idowu Sobowale the day before I left Chapel,; Royal Family, Garden of Life, Miracle for my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Centre, Bethel, White Chapel parishes in Benue State met me at the Queens College BusLagos, Upper Room Assembly/Area and now Stop, Onike, Yaba, Lagos and requested if I would be willing to serve in my alma mater. I honoured Zone, and our very dear Divine Love Assembly in Abuja, Royal Parish and former Dominion the invitation by redeploying from Benue State Area in Kano – all of The Redeemed Christian and in spite of being given a very attractive posting on returning to Lagos. He thus was the first to Church of God, the NISER Staff Fellowship, draw me to the path of a subsequent academic ca- Couples Fellowship in Ibadan; and Caleb Unireer. Prof Andrew Moemeka bought books to sup- versity Fellowship/ Chapel. I am grateful to God for the vision of the “Son Shine” Inspiraport me as a lecturer and sent them by courier tional Web and Email Platform He gave me from his base then in the United States. since June 17, 2004 and which weekly reveals Let me also thank Profs Ralph Akinfeleye and “Insights through the Word”, and for those Luke Uka Uche who variously served as Head, DeHe has used to encourage its sustenance, inpartment of Mass Communication, University of Lagos when I was there and other colleagues and cluding Pastor & Mrs Joseph Agbi and Mefriends who mean so much to us including Lanre shack Masha from Kenya who has been the most consistent among readers in respondand Jumoke Oyegbola, Dr (Mrs) Oluyinka Esan, ing to Son Shine mails. Prof. Lai Oso, Prof Umaru & Mrs Zainab Pate, Dr I also appreciate the wonders of God and Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, Dr Musa Abutudu, Abimbola Olasoji, Tunde Kajogbola, Lanre Idowu, friends and colleagues in the UN System (especially the World Health Organization, Prof Adigun Agbaje, Dr Adidi Uyo, Alex Osunde, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nosa Igiebor, Bruce Ugiomoh, Dr Abel Ugba, Dr and United Nations Population Fund Dele Ige, Frank Aigbogun, Prof Eghosa Osaghae, [UNFPA]). I cherish friends at the various govEluem Emeka Izeze, Onero & Martha Alao-Peters, ernments, non-governmental and internaProf Placid & Dr (Mrs) Bola Njoku, Tommy tional agencies. Odemwingie, Nosike Agokei, Joshua & Liyatu For the many others too numerous to menKaura, Prof Dayo Alao, Dr Bayo Oloyede, Prof Festion individually who have been part of the tus Egwaikhide, Prof Olufemi Onabajo, Dora stages of me and my family’s life, I say a big (Ajayi) Usiobaifo, Dama & Christie Afabor, Ben & Victoria Efeturi, Segun & Fine Oludayo, Dr Yinka & thank you. Please forgive me if I did not mention you by name. I am sure you understand. Mrs Remi Bolaji, Pastor Laitan Olubiyi, Kayode & There are more people God has used in my Mary Oguntimehin, Soni Irabor, Dr Ademola Adeyinka, Toyosi Johnston, Deacon Godwin & Mrs life than I can possibly reflect in this space. God bless you all. May His will for our lives be Chioma Azih, Oluwatoyin Samson Godday, Mr done in Jesus name, Amen. God is our help in Yemi & Dr (Mrs) Yemi Fadeyibi, Dr (Mrs) Bola ages past and remains our hope for years to Adetoun, Bose Archibong, Dr Femi Adediran, Peter Omorotionmwan, Mr & Mrs Godwin Ogaga- come. Oghene, Pastor & Mrs Bode Adekeye, Peter & Toyin To the King of kings and Lord of lords alone Alade, Nike Oriola, Aderonke Abosede Bello, Batil- belongs all the glory.